Management of Erectile Dysfunction and Infertility in the Male Spinal Cord Injury Patient

Curr Urol Rep. 2018 May 17;19(7):47. doi: 10.1007/s11934-018-0806-z.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Men with spinal cord injury (SCI) commonly suffer from erectile dysfunction and ejaculatory dysfunction. The literature regarding the causes and treatment of these two important problems was reviewed.

Recent findings: Many of the erectile dysfunction treatments applied to able bodied individuals are also useful in the SCI population, although there are differences in the goals and results of treatment. Ejaculatory dysfunction can be treated with either penile vibratory stimulation or electroejaculation with high success rates. Pregnancies are possible, but poor quality sperm quality in male SCI patients leads to pregnancy rates lower than is observed in the able-bodied population. Although effective treatments are available for erectile and ejaculatory dysfunction in men with SCIs, many challenges remain in optimizing the treatment of these individuals.

Keywords: Andrology and infertility; Erectile dysfunction; Spinal cord injury.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Erectile Dysfunction / etiology
  • Erectile Dysfunction / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Infertility, Male / etiology
  • Infertility, Male / therapy*
  • Male
  • Spinal Cord Injuries / complications*